Home offices: How to whip your desk drawers into shape

Worse, many people use the quick-make-everything-neat method when they’re expecting company: They open up the drawers and sweep as much as they can into them!

So, if your desk drawers are barely able to close, then today’s the day to do something about that problem.

To file or not to file?

Keep paperwork at bay by sorting it out straight away. Picture: Getty

There are a couple of truisms to desk storage that you should be aware of. First, we tend to hold on to way more paper than we really need to.

There are all sorts of statistics that indicate once you file a paper, the chance of it ever seeing daylight again in a meaningful way is about as likely as winning the Lotto.

So think twice before ‘filing’.

Go digital

Having all that paper around might make you feel secure but don’t forget that printed documents are very vulnerable to loss or destruction. The answer to both of those problems is digital storage. These days storing documents in the cloud offers almost unlimited amounts of filing space. There are lots of apps that turn your phone’s camera into a scanner. Take advantage of them and start moving towards digital and banning the paper from your desk.

First – your desk top

First clear off the space on the top of your desk.

To do that, grab a box and throw anything in it which will need attention within the next month or so (bills, notices, invitations, etc.,) and put that aside in a safe place. We’re starting here because these papers are probably on the top of the piles on the desk. Now find a bigger box and throw anything that’s remaining in there.

Now, go back through that box and take each item out and put it in a different area of the desk, grouping like items together. For instance, put all the less crucial paperwork that you’re planning on filing in the top right corner of the desk, the office supplies all in the middle front, electronics in the back left.

Then – the drawers

Next, open each drawer of the desk and start doing the same with what’s inside, adding to each of the piles. However, hold off on doing drawers that are just holding paperwork. We’ll do all of the previously filed paperwork next.

Keep only what you need and use

Once you have all of the ‘stuff’ out and sorted into piles, have a good look at what you have.

Do you really need that many pens? How about how many of those charging cables are from electronics that you no longer use? Similarly, get rid of anything completely dirty, sticky, or covered in dust.

Your goal is a slick, sleek, streamlined desk that helps you power through what needs to get done.

You don’t need to grab a pen that doesn’t work or a ruler that’s been covered in the chocolate-covered fingers of your child.

And don’t forget, even if the stuff is perfectly good, you only need a small number of these items.

The rest can be donated to a local school or possibly to a neighbour who has kids. Just get it out of your own house!

Create a paperwork system

Now, for the paperwork. Paperwork is the bane of many a home office.

I find there are two types of people. Those who like to file and have set up really good effective systems and everyone else.

If you’re in the everyone else pile, here’s my (controversial) suggestion: Don’t worry about it. Take that big empty box and fill it with all of the old paperwork that you just can’t be bothered looking at anymore.

Deal with paperwork immediately or face the reality that you’ll probably be storing it forever. Picture: Getty

Label it old paperwork and date it with today’s date, fold it closed, and put it away in a closet. And, make a deal with yourself that starting today you will no longer let paper accumulate.

Instead, you’ll digitise it or immediately file it. No excuses. If, in a pinch, you need an old piece of paper, you know where to find it.

Aim for ‘good enough’

That’s it.

When it comes to organising paperwork, I believe ‘good enough’ should be the goal.

Even though I am a professional organiser, I believe that life is for living – and only the minimal amount of time should be used to do filing.

Get your home office system under control and then go outside and enjoy the day!

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